Here at TIFF, we have our own lineup of fun programs for the budding filmmakers of Toronto. With sessions designed for everyone from the ages of 8-17, youngsters get a hands-on experience in working on all the elements of making a film.

“We’re learning how to use real equipment.” says 14-year-old Mia, “We work with real cameras, and real editing programs. We use the editing software that they use to make those movies that you see in the theatre.”

The camps usually run for two weeks and they focus on a variety of filmmaking topics and genres like making trailers, animation and mockumentary filmmaking. There’s also a videogame design camp where facilitators help each participant develop a concept from design to playable prototype.

This week, we spoke to a few campers taking part in this year’s Film Fun 101 sessions. We asked them about their favorite movies, the kind of films they want to make and what they would like to change in the industry.

MAYA, 8

WHAT KIND OF FILMMAKER DO YOU WANT TO BE?

I wasn’t really planning on being a filmmaker but if I could, I kind of want to make short films. Maybe animated because I like working with plasticine. If I had a lot of time to do that, I could do like thousands of different pictures, like stop-motion.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? OR A MOVIE THAT YOU WATCHED RECENTLY THAT YOU REALLY LIKED?

I went to see Finding Dory! I really liked it. I liked that it’s a sequel to Finding Nemo. Dory is my favorite character.

DO YOU SEE SOMETHING IN MOVIES THAT YOU DON’T LIKE THAT YOU WISH THEY’D STOP DOING?

Sometimes they make stupid decisions in the movies that make silly problems. But if problems didn’t exist in the world, then it wouldn’t make an interesting movie. I don’t like cheesy romantic kisses. There’s this movie, I forget what it’s called, but whenever people kiss they just do this weird thing [mimes fish hands and mushes them together] and they never actually kiss. But I think I kind of like it that way because I don’t like to see kissing.

MIA, 8

WHAT KIND OF FILMMAKER DO YOU WANT TO BE?

If I could, I want to make anime. It’s something that I really want to learn about and be able to do. My daycare teacher Caitlin watches a lot of anime and she showed me on her phone. Now I just really want to see anime and find my way to work in it. I’ve seen a lot of anime that I like, like Midousuji Akira (a character in Yowamushi Pedal).

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?

I have a few favourite movies. The Princess Bride, The Sound of Music and Song of the Sea. I love Song of the Sea because it has really nice colours and pictures. It just gives you that nice feeling of, “Oh my God, all those pretty colours, I can’t take it! Aahh! I’m going to die!” It’s just a very beautiful movie.

GRAHAM, 9

WHAT KIND OF FILMMAKER DO YOU WANT TO BE?

I kind of plan to be a filmmaker. I may become rich, so I want to make a movie. I want to try and make something like an adventure, or an action movie. I want to be a director and an actor.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? OR A MOVIE THAT YOU WATCHED RECENTLY THAT YOU REALLY LIKED?

Jurassic Park was great.

WHAT DID YOU DO AT CAMP SO FAR?

We made a film and edited in this room. Everybody had a different job. Then we learned about sound effects and we even made our own.

MIA, 14

WHAT KIND OF FILMMAKER DO YOU WANT TO BE?

I want to make films, I want to write and be a director. I feel like Steven Spielberg. He inspires me the most. I love all of his movies. He has such amazing ideas! Like Jurassic Park and Jaws. I’m always entertained. All of his movies are so unique. You just know it’s Steven Spielberg. The Goonies is one of my favorite movies. I’ve been watching it since I was young and I’m sad that not a lot people know about it. He just has this spark that make his movies unlike any others!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? OR A MOVIE THAT YOU WATCHED RECENTLY THAT YOU REALLY LIKED?

Kingsman: The Secret Service. I’m reading the comic book right now. There’s all this action and fun characters. I love it.

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU HOPE TO CHANGE ONCE YOU BECOME A FILMMAKER?

When I create my movies, I’m going to have diverse casting. I want to be progressive. I’m going to have lots of strong female leads and LGBT characters. All these different things because movies have the power to be progressive and make an impact. That’s what I want to do when I get older. I have lots of ideas that I think could really make a change, and mean something to the people who watch it.

MIKA, 13 (CENTRE OF FRAME) AND EZRA, 12 (RIGHT)

WHAT KIND OF FILMMAKER DO YOU WANT TO BE?

Ezra: Either a cameraman or in special effects. I’ve been animating for two years. I’m interested in doing things behind-the-scenes and making things look as fancy as possible. I want to do things on a large-scale and make things look nice and fancy.

Mika: I want to be an editor or a cameraman. The reason I want to be a cameraman is because of Wes Anderson movies and how beautiful the shots are. The reason I want to be an editor is because I love all the programs and the technology, mushing stuff together.

ANY FAVORITE MOVIES?

Ezra: Anomalisa was great. Except for that one scene. I love that movie.

Mika: Rushmore and Grand Budapest Hotel. I really liked the new Star Wars. And Finding Dory because it was about what it’s like living with a disability. It’s about good things.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO CHANGE ABOUT MOVIES?

Mika: This is more about the audience. I wish people would appreciate camerawork more, and camera shots, and how much effort goes into that. All of those little details need to be noticed and I think everyone should appreciate them.